West Morris has won two different state sectional championships in the last four years, winning the NJSIAA North 2 Group III title in 2009 and the North 2 Group IV crown last year.

The Wolfpack welcome back several members of the state championship team, which means one thing. Count on West Morris playing meaningful games in November and possibly December, although they have to do a better job of staying healthy this year.

“We have enough experience coming back,” said veteran Wolfpack head coach Kevin Hennelly, who enters his 18th season as head coach. “We lost too many kids to injury last year, so we have to stay healthy. But the experienced kids are helping the others along and that helps the newcomers.”

Hennelly was asked if he liked the makeup of his team.

“I do because of their work ethic during the summer,” Hennelly said. “They were here all the time, wanting to get better. It’s a good group of seniors. We had a tough training camp, but the kids survived it, thanks to the seniors.”

Hennelly said that his team may take some time to get together.

“We still have some kids who are still starting to get a feel for their positions,” Hennelly said. “Once they get settled in, we should be fine.”

Junior Collin Sokolowski got trial by fire last season, being thrust into the starting role when now-graduated starter John Gutowski was injured. Those four games of experience can only help Sokolowski this season.

“We’re going to ask him to hand the ball off more than he’s going to throw, but he can throw it,” Hennelly said.

Another key performer in the Wolfpack backfield is the coach’s son, Kevin.

“He’s a blue-collar type player,” Hennelly said of his son, who is a senior. “He can run and block. He’s going to be one of our lead guys.”

Others in the backfield include senior Javier Murray and junior Kevin Sears.

The Wolfpack have three capable receivers in senior Robert Eichelsdoerfer, senior Steve McDonough and junior Will Sullivan.

“All three have some experience coming in,” Hennelly said.

Senior Dante Mustacchio returns at tight end, where promising sophomore Ryan Pruss will also see time.

The offensive line may be a concern, as senior tackle Kyle Guldner is the lone returning starter.

Defensively, the Wolfpack will look to a solid defender with an appropriate last name in senior defensive end Jake Butkus.

Guldner is a mainstay at defensive tackle. Hennelly is a strong linebacker, where Thompson and junior Robert Shannon (the team’s rover back) also reside.

Murray is a fine cornerback, as the Wolfpack will look to maintain its reputation as a solid defensive team.

“We still have some question marks, but we’re settling in,” the elder Hennelly said. “We’re pretty solid at running back. I think we’re right where we want to be. It’s going to be a typical West Morris football team, three-and-a-half yards and cloud of dust. We don’t have any superstars getting all the carries. We’re just going to play physical football.”